 After a month or so of cogitating and browsing, I decided that I wanted to replace my five year old ULA-P2 pack as it was not up to the next 1600 miles of Lejog walking.
I thought I would go with an Osprey Atmos 53L (Large size) and in the grey/dark grey colourway illustrated on their website.
After trawling the shops, Fishers of Keswick very kindly rang me to let me know that there were no Grey models in the UK.
So I nipped off to the internet and tracked down a dealer in the US and ordered the colourway I wanted from them online.
An hour later I received an email from the US retailer saying that Osprey would not allow them to supply me with the order and that I should purchase it from Snow & Rock in the UK. I then checked their website and lo & behold, they do not sell the colour I want. Indeed - NO retailer stocks it in the UK on their websites.
I have written to Osprey to ask them for their comments on this apparent restraint of trade and have asked them to supply me with the colour that they make, advertise and sell.
The reason I want a grey one is that I am having the Sue Ryder Logo embroidered on the sack, and the red model will be a distraction to the logo.
You can find this all exlained on the blog: http://alansloman.blogspot.com
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 Have you explained to Osprey why you're trying to get the particular colours?
Rob the Osprey rep is an OM member and from what I've seen on this site provides very good customer service; you might try e-mailing him (search for Osprey in Titles and you'll quickly find a thread that he's contributed to), or he might respond to your post, though maybe a 'calling Rob the Osprey rep' in the Gear section might be the best way of attracting his attention.
The very best of luck with your charity walk next year.
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Thank you Kate for your very speedy response.
Off to get some sleep now - I will try that tomorrow evening.
Many thanks
Alan
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 Alan,
left you a message on your blog already. If Osprey in the UK can't deliver there seems to be a shop in Germany who could. I can of course offer some translation services if needed.
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Hi Alan Check out the website below, UK base but it's full price at 120 pounds. Hope this helps Osprey 50 grey
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| Edited: 21/11/06 09:03 |
Hi tjm21
Many thanks for trying to help, but guess what - sold out... I checked by phone.
Hi Lighthiker - (Roman?) Thanks for that - but my German is appalling and so, as I see this as an Osprey issue, (instructing their USA dealers not to supply the UK! - but Osprey in the UK deny this is the case) I have passed the ball back to Osprey in the UK.
All I want is a product that I know exists. I have the need, the money and they have the products - What could be simpler?
I am waiting to hear back from Rob at Osprey - who I believe will try to help me, as the USA dealer is adamant they they will not send me one.
I will let you all know how I get on.
Thank you
Alan
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 I wonder what their reasoning for not selling certain colours in some parts of the world are? I too have been considering an atmos but a 35l size and would prefer a "jetsream grey" version also.
Osprey have just lost a potential customer here as i think ill spend my money elswhere on a pack that suits my needs and come in the colour I prefer without having to speak to germany or get special help from the rep!
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| Edited: 22/11/06 04:38 |
 Alan, I have afriend currently out in the US for work until January.
I'm pretty sure that they would be cool letting you use their address over there (the company has put them up in a flat) and then they can either bring it back in January or post it onto you.
Let me if you need to use this option.
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 It makes no sense to me. I used to sell Osprey packs and I actually found people who would have bought the Atmos "If it wasn't bright red". It's a well known fact that British people are dull and boring, so give us back our dull and boring colours!
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 Alan have you tried ellis brigham?? i got the atmos 50 and 35 in charcoal from them they had to special order them think it cost an extra £10 but i didn't fancy the red one,or you could try posting on the gear thread and maybe Rob from osprey could help you out.
Ste
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Ah, the world is a wonderful place again - My thanks to all the OM'ers on here who emailed me, left messages on the blog and on here.
The lovely Rob from Osprey got in touch with the USA and the USA dealer (Pine Needle Mountaineering of Durango Colorado) are now supplying me (a UK resident) with the Rucksack of my dreams!
Thanks Rob and thanks to you wonderful lot too!
Alan
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Alan - do you mind me asking how much it cost for delivery and any customs taxes?
I'm looking for the Crescent 85 and can't find anywhere in the UK that has it in blue - might have to resort to ordering it from the states too.
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Hi Rob
This is a bit vague - I seem to remember that I had to pay Royal Mail a handling charge as well as tax - the wole lot came to something like £25- £30.
Alan
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Thanks a lot Alan - that all sounds pretty reasonable.
Rob.
P.S. Come on Osprey - please sort out your UK distribution!
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Thanks for the comments everyone. Too much detail on Alan's particular case to go into it here but I'll try to give the brief version.
1. We (Osprey) don't restrict supply to non US consumers. If you want to buy from the US then that is your choice, although no price advantage exists (on Osprey product at least - not all US brands). I would always suggest it is better to buy locally and get fitted correctly and try the pack on (with weight in it) before buying.
2. Alan was after the Atmos in Grey. Most (nearly all) UK retailers choose to stock red. We offer them grey but they prefer to stock red. We can't force retailers to take grey if they actually want red. I can understand the frustration if you don't want a red pack, under normal circumstances the retailer can order you an alternate colour or size - no problem (see point 3 below)
3. The main factor that prevented Alan from easily buying a grey Atmos is that we globally discontinued the grey colour back in November 2006. The grey was replaced with a slate blue (much nicer than the grey in m opinion) in December 2006. This was a change for every country (including the US).
I think that I've covered everything without going into infinite detail? I can't think what we could have done differently to get a better outcome.
We really appreciate the interest in Osprey and your comments. Those that have purchased an Osprey pack we also appreciate your purchase.
Regards
Rob
Osprey
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Apologies Rob - U, I didn't fully answer your question about locating the Crescent 85 in blue. Both Ellis Brigham and Snow+Rock stock this pack, but they both have it in Red as a standard item, but they will happily order the blue for you (we have it in stock at our UK warehouse).
Please let me know if you are struggling with getting hold of the pack, or if you don't have either of these retailers near you.
You shouldn't need to resort to buying an Osprey pack from the USA - this will be more time consuming for you and offer no advantage in price.
Best Regards
Rob
Osprey
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Thanks Rob. I kind of assumed it would be on their website if they did sell them. Will have to phone them.
Cheers,
Rob.
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